Brag Sheet 
 
What is a brag sheet? 
Remember, you are amazing! A brag sheet helps you think about who you are and what 
makes you special. It is a tool to help start the writing process for personal statements, 
college admission and scholarship essays. Share it with teachers, counselors, or college 
advisors who plan to write your letters of recommendation.  
 
Tips for completing this sheet 
Complete the questions with as much detail as possible. Do not assume readers know 
what you mean. Use the tips below to complete this sheet. 
A. Spell out the name of the award/honor instead of using acronyms. 
 
B. Provide details of achievements and quantify where possible. 
Example 
DON’T:​ “Monarch High School Leadership Award” for being a leader in my high 
school. 
DO:​ “Monarch High School Leadership Award” for assisting teachers at my school 
with coordinating, planning, and implementing 3 events for 80 students, serving 
as a mentor to 11th grade students, and fundraising $1000 for a college visit. This 
award is only given to 3 students in my school. 
 
C. Include any responsibilities, achievements, or activities outside of school, i.e. 
home/in your family, in your community, etc. Colleges value leadership at many 
levels. The more detailed, the more helpful.  
 
D. Be honest. 
 
Take the time to think over your responses and write out complete answers that are 
thorough. Remember, college admissions officers are looking for quality writing on your 
applications so it is important that you meet that standard on this assignment as well. 
Background and Goals 
1. What are the characteristics of your neighborhood (e.g. small, big, rural, 
urban, low-income, middle-income, diverse, etc.)? 
I lived in a middle class neighborhood but my house was low class. My 
neighborhood was always fun, there was always something to do like; playing 
soccer, playing catch with a football.  
 
2. What are the opportunities and/or challenges that come from living in your 
community? 
The challenges were the drive bys that would happen at night. Another challenge 
would be having to make it home before 8pm, Because if it's after then we get 
locked out until my dad gets home at 12am 
 
3. What are the cultures that you identify with/other languages you speak? 
I lived in a mexican household. We spoke English but when my grandparents or 
anyone from my dad ́s family came it would only be Spanish. 
 
4. What is the size of your family? Are you an only child or do you come from a 
large family? Who lives in your household? What roles do you play in your family? 
I lived with 9 people including the kids. My mom, Dad, Grandma yaya, grandma 
(Gloria), papa (Rafel), me, (18) Chelsey (16), Jose Jr (13) , and Maddy (6). 
 
 
5. My favorite academic courses/subjects: 
My favorite academic subject is Drama because I love acting I love being and Art 
class 
 
6. What do you consider your greatest academic strengths and weaknesses? 
My greatest academic strengths are English and writing. My weaknesses are 
Math and being easily distracted. 
 
7. What do you consider your greatest personal strengths and weaknesses? 
My greatest personal strengths are creativity, good work ethic, punctual. Some of 
my weaknesses are being in interviews.   
 
8. Majors I am interested in: (list 3) 
Three majors I am interested in are Criminal Justice, entertainment, and medical   
 
 
9. Careers I am interested in: (list 3) 
Some Careers I am interested in are rapping, a Paramedic, and or a Police officer.   
 
10. Three things that are very important to me in my life: 
Three things that are important are music, my best friend, and her family. They 
show me unconditional love and support me. 
 
11. Six words that best describe my personality and character are (e.g. a leader, 
athletic, resilient, activist, environmentally conscious, socially conscious, 
etc.): 
Six words that best describe me are  
Leader  
Resilient  
Socially Conscious  
Creative  
Charisma 
Self Confidence  
 
12. How do you see yourself in 15 years (e.g. what type of career, lifestyle, family, 
involvement in the community, etc.)? 
I see myself as a professional rapper. With an amazing affordable house and 
traveling to perform.  
 
13. Describe a difficulty you have overcome in your life. 
A difficulty I overcame was being forced to come out to my mom. I was in 8th 
grade and my sister had found out I had a girlfriend and she ran home and told 
my mom, and my mom called my phone and yelled at me. As she was yelling at me 
I felt betrayal from my sister and from my mom. I knew my relationship with my 
mom would never be the same. I will never be able to come out how I wanted. Till 
this day our relationship isn’t great. 
  
14. Give one example of a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, a 
time when you stood up for what you believe in, or ethical dilemma you have 
faced and its impact on you. 
A few months back I stood in front of my peers representing myself and my 
LGBTQ community that were not feeling safe in school asking for solidarity, 
alliship, and a safe space for all students in Monarch   
15. What are your plans after high school (college, technical/vocational training, 
military, work)? 
Music performance, then as a side job working part time then eventually going to 
college. 
 

Current Activities 
16. Describe the type of high school you attend. (Is it large or small? Is it a magnet 
program or charter school? Are you in an academy?) 
The high school I attend is small but it is a school that helps students in need.  
 
17. What do you feel sets you apart as an individual in your school? 
I feel what sets me apart as an individual at school is that I’m outgoing, creative, 
I’m not scared to speak my mind, I’m a leader to others, and very gay. 
 
18. How have you contributed to your high school community? 
I’m part of Royal Restorative which is a student leadership group who does 
activities for high school and I contribute ideas for activities on thursdays breakfast.  
I’m also part of YQUE and that is a group of LGBTQA students who help make the 
school a safe place. 
19. In what ways are you challenging yourself to prepare for life after high school? 
I am preparing myself financially and mentally. Financially by saving my money 
for important reasons and mentally preparing myself for my adult life.  
 
20. Describe a personal achievement that has given you satisfaction. 
My personal achievement was when I went on stage and performed my first song 
and rapped. I felt proud when I would hear people yelling and cheering. That's 
 how I knew I wanted to be in the spotlight. I loved seeing the crowd's face. They 
looked so happy! It made me happy. 
 
21. My hobbies, passions, talents, special interests: (list 3-5) 
My talent is rapping. My hobby is writing poems and my personal interest 
is being on stage. 
 
22. What ​activities​ have you been a part of, both in and out of school (​athletics​, 
church and youth groups, student organizations​)? List your ​leadership roles​ and 
how long you participated in these activities. 
Activities I’ve been a part of are The David’s Harp Foundation, where I record 
music and write songs. A list of leadership roles I have are A Student led Podcast (1 
year), A Royal Restorative Ally Assembly which was led by me (2 years), and I would help 
the Principle do the morning announcements (1 year) 
 
23. What ​honors and awards​ have you received? List and describe the most 
significant awards you have received since 9th grade. 
One of the many awards I have received was a Creating First Impressions Certificate, A 
Project Legacy Certificate, I was also nominated for 2019 25 Most Remarkable Teens of 
San Diego Award in two categories: Music and Courage to Overcome, I featured in 
Yahoo! Finance promotional video in April 2019, and Monarch Student of the Week 
 
24. What ​work experience​ do you have? Please list the type of jobs you have had, 
what your responsibilities were/are, and when you did these jobs/what grades 
you were employed. 
I’ve worked at the Hilton Bayfront, and Mixte communications filing documents 
and organizing papers. I’ve also worked at the David’s Harp Foundation counting music 
equipment,and hosting a podcast. 
 
25. What ​community service and volunteer activities​ have you been a part of? What 
did you do, and for how long? 
I was the MC for the Monarch holiday show for 2 years. I hosted both shows for 4 
hours each. 
 
References 
List the names and contact information of three teachers, coaches, staff members, 
supervisors, etc. who know you well and would speak highly of you. 
1. Name: Veronica May 
Title: Mentor 
Email address or phone number: +1 (619) 890-5880 
 
2. Name: Dana Harwood 
Title: Former program coordinator, 
Email address or phone number: dharwood@gmail.com 
  
3. Name: Allie Peterson 
Title: Life Skills Coordinator College and Transition 
Email address or phone number: apeterson@monarchschools.org